Tameside faces court action on fees

A group of care homes in Tameside, greater Manchester, is planning
to take the local authority to court over fees unless rates are
increased.

The 11 homes, which represent around 400 out of the 1,200 beds in
the area, informed Tameside Council by letter of the increase in
their fees from the start of December 2002 for existing and future
residents.

But the council has continued to pay the previous level of fees, so
the homes, all members of the Care Homes Association of Tameside,
have been sending out separate invoices for the extra amount.

“Ultimately we are going to take them to court for the outstanding
amount,” said Jack Meredith, chairperson of the association and a
home owner himself. “A judge will decide whether a home is being
reasonable in its demands for fees.”

Tameside Council said that it was not in a position to make new
placements with the homes which had increased their rates until an
agreement had been reached on both contract and price. The council
was due to meet care home representatives this week and offer
revised proposals.